Container



vJuly 19, 1938. Q B ANDREWS 9 2,124,409

CONTAINER Filed sept. 5, 19:55 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVLNTOR ATTORNEYS July 19, 1938. o. B. ANDREWS CONTAINER Filed sept. 5. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet' 2 INVENTOR /zzfzz fmmw ATTORNEYS `5 One embodiment of the present invention replace;

"Q Another feature of the invention consists in 35 representations.

Patented July 19, 1938 l i, ,1

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GGNTAINER -Y Oliver B. Andrews, Chattanooga, `Tenn. applicati@ september 5, 1935, serial No. 39,213

` roiairn. (o1. 22a-a3) This invention relates to containers, and par- Fig. 4 `is aperspective view, partially in crossticularly to containers constructed of paperboard section, of a completed container; or like material and having the form of a chestor 1 Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the completed locker. .container with the cover closed and locked in lates to a container or box especially suitable for Fig. 6 is Van enlarged fragmentary crosscontaining gifts, such as toys, games or similar sectional vieW showing the details of the locking articles, for presentation to children, Which conarrangement; tainer may be used subsequently as a receptacle Fig. vrl is. a 'top plan vieW of a blank employed lo or chest for toys or games. In a bo-x'used for in constructing another embodiment of the in- 10 this purpose it is necessary that the box be strong Vention;

Aenough to withstand rough handling, that it be so Fig. .8 is a fragmentary View, partially in crossconstructed as to withstand exposure to moisture, section, ofthe completely `set-,up container; and preferably provided with such locking means Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the completely l thatV unauthorized access cannot be obtained set-up container with the cover closed; and `15 thereto by children, i Fig. V10 is a fragmentary view of a modica- Another embodiment of the invention relates OII 0f the Container ShOWn in Figs. '7 170 9- to a container of attractive and novel construc- In Oneembodment ofthe inVeIlt-On the 00ntion, having the form and properties of a chest .tailler iS Olmed from IWO blanks or stripe I and or maker, and which is especially adapted for 2 of heavy paperboard stock, which strips prefer- Yilo use as a container for foods, particularly such :ebIYee .Of'gellelalysimilar Width- The blank I 4foods as cookies, crackers, candies, cakes and the iS provided With equally-spaced Score lines 3, 11kg, .and 5 Which divide the blank into substantially A feature of the invention `consists in theA proequal SePOIlS I0 130 |3- Integral With tindexvision of a, locker-like container of relatively tndinsvfrOm-the sides 0f sections III, Il and I2, 515 heavy paperboard material, having suitable `lock- .erevfleps I5 and I'I, AI8 and I9, 20 and 2l. reelle@- `ing means for the cover of the container, `vvhereftlVelY: and ,the SCOIe lines 22130 27.21 provided by the same may be locked by means of a padlock 10m/Ween these aDS and the SeCIiOHS III, I I and 051- Simlar meansh KI2 to permit bending of these flaps. The lap 29 ,extends `from the section lil, and the scoretc forming a container of the class described, of ktWo @une 23 Permits bending 0f this flap- 13,1 Of'generauy Similar The section I3 is provided with arperforation pieces of paperboard mater Width, which pieces are adaptedl to? be printed -3 a'dJaCent one edge and ymg 0n the lODgl" ,tudnal center-'line of the'strip I, and the flap 29 with suitable decorative or educational pictorial is vprovided with a slot 30 also lying on the center- Still .another feature Aof the invention consists line 0f the Stripin forming a paperboard container in simulation The Plank 01 .ST/1:11) 2 1S -1`e0tengu1212 en d .1,5 DTO- of, and'having several of the characteristics of, `Vldedl (1th Score 1m65.35'and- 35 Whlch dlVlde the achest O1. locker. blank into three equal sections l31, 38 and 39.

40 The invention also consists in forming a prod'- .AQ-jacent one longitudinal `edge 0f the Strip, and 40 `uct having the general characteristics, the .new lymfg on the? transverse ,Center'lnf of the middle and useful applications, and the` several original Sectlon 38 1S a' perforatmn au Slmlla'r t9 me per' v foration 3|. kfeatures of utility herelnafter set rforth and. The Container sassembled byvsecuring the free y 4 claimed lend of the section 31 to the flap I8, and the free 111th@ accompanying drawings there is Shown r@rui of .the section 39 to the flap la by means of for purposes of illustration (me form of a' deViCe Y'metal staples 50. Thus, a at tubular construe# empodymg the mvefltwn m Whlch Y tion `is provided with the sections lll, I2 and I3 of Flg' 1 1s a' man VIEW of a Cut and Scored blank thc blank I attached thereto and extending employed in Constructing a container according therefrom. The container may be shipped or 5o t0 the invel'ltOil; i Y f ,stored in this flat condition, and set up whenever Fig. 2 is a similar View ofv another blank emdesired. v ployed in co-nstructing the container; 'I'he container is set upas follows: The blank Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a partially com- .l is bent along the score lines A'rif-to 2l inclusive,

Y.55 pleted container; so that the flaps I6 to 2|, inclusive, and zstand 5,5

up perpendicularly to their respective sections of the blank. Thereafter, the section I3 is drawn through the tube constituted by section I I of blank I, and sections 31, 38 and 39 of blank 2, the flaps 20 and 2| being tucked inside of the sections 31 and 39, respectively.

It will be seen now that the section I I constitutes a rear wall, section I 2 constitutes' a bottom, sections 31 and 39 constitute side walls and section 38 constitutes a front wall. Also, section I0 constitutes a cover and section I3 a front flap which lies along and reinforces the front wall 38. It will be noted that when the box is set up, the perforations 3| and 40 are brought into alignment, and an opening extending entirely through the front wall is provided.

When the 'container has been set up, as described, circular crimp Washers 60 and 6I are disposed in registry with the opening 65 on both sides of the front wall respectively, and an eye screw 92 is projected through the'opening. A nut 03 is thereafter `threaded thereon to secure the eye screw 62 and at the same time to draw the crimp washers 00 and 0I together, and thereby securely hold the flap I3 and the front wall 38 in intimate abutting engagement.

When desired, the cover I0 may be closed, the flaps I0 and 31 and 39, and the flap .29 being left outside of the container to overlie the upper portion of the front wall 38. When the cover is closed, the slot 30 is in registry with the opening 65, and receives the eye portion of the eye screw 92. Due to the natural resiliency of the material, there is a slight tendency for the cover to be forced upwardly at the forward portion, and thus the flap 29 is in hooked engagement wtih the eye screw 62 and the cover is maintained in closed position. Preferably, unauthorized entry of the container may be prevented by a padlock 64, the hook portion of which is passed through the eye of the eye screw 62.

In another embodiment of the invention, the container is constituted by a single piece or blank 10 of paperboard, for example, corrugated paper, which is cut in the general shape of the letter T. In one portion of the blank 10, substantially equal sections 1I, 12 and 13 are defined by score lines 14, 15, 1S, and 11. Integral with and extending from the sections 1I and 13, are flaps 18 and 19, respectively. In the other portion of the blank 10, sections 90, 9| and 92 are dened by score lines 93, 94 and 95, and integral with and extending from corner portions'of these sections are leg extensions |00 to |03. 'Ihe extensions IUI and |02 are full leg extensions, and score lines 94 and 95 respectively extend through the centers of these legs. The leg extensions |00 and |03 are of half-leg form, as will be seen. The leg extension |00 is separated from section 13 by a cut line |04.

The container is formed into a tubular construction by bringing the edge of the section 92 into abutment with the edge of the section 12, and adhesively applying to the adjacent marginal portions` of these sections a 'cloth or paper tape III. This tubular construction tends normally to lie 1lat,and the container may be shipped and stored in this condition.

A piece of tape |I2, bearing adhesive on one side, is adhesively secured to the flap 19 at the central portion of the edge, and a substantial portion of the tape is permitted to extend beyond the edge of the flap19, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

I 1 being tucked inside the side walls When it is desired to set up the container, the blank is bent along all of the score lines, and the flap 19 is tucked Within the tube constituted by sections 12, 90, 91 and 92, and lies against the inner surface of section 91. 'I'he overhanging portion II4 of the tape II2 is adhesively secured to the inner side of the section 91 to maintain the section 13 in position to constitute a bottom for the container. 'I'he container is now ready for use, and may be closed by tucking the ilap 18, which serves as a tongue, into the container against the inner surface of the section or front wall 91, as shown.

It will be seen that, when the section 13 is in position to form a bottom wall for the container, the leg portions |00 to |03 constitute four spaced legs upon which the container may be supported, which legs extend below the bottom wall in a manner somewhat similar to the legs of a treasure chest.

If desired, a stop means may be provided for preventing the forward portion of the cover from being 'forced down into the container proper and to maintain the cover in the plane of the top edges of the side walls. Such means may be provided, as shown in Fig. 10, by forming the flap 18a `and the flap 19a'r of such respective lengths that their edges meet in abutting relation when the cover is in closed position, the edges of the flap 19a thus serving as an abutment for the flap 18a..

A substantially semi-circular notch Il!! is provided in the upper edge of the section 91 for the purpose of permitting a grip to be obtained upon the flap 18 when the cover is closed, to facilitate raising the cover.

It will now be seen that the container provided by the present invention is simple, rugged and capable of simple and inexpensive fabrication and of such construction that the preliminary forming operations may be carried out and the partially formed container stored or shipped in flat folded condition, and set up when desired by a simple operation which does not necessitate the use of any instrumentalities other than the hands of the user. Y

It will likewise be seen that since the front flap is integral with the section which forms the bottom of the container and lies against the front wall, it serves not only as means for maintaining the bottom in proper position, but also as means for reinforcing the front wall. In the embodiment shown in Figs. l to 6, this feature is of great importance, in that it permits the installation of a metal locking arrangement of the paperboard container Without incurring the liability of defacement or destruction of the container.

The construction of the container of stiff paperboard material, and the provision of a metal lock therefor prevent unauthorized opening of the container without the exercise of considerable force or the use of a cutting means such as a knife. Thus the container is quite safely locked against intrusion by children, inasmuch as it can be made strong enough to resist ordinary attempts to destroy the same, and since it is not generally customary to provide children with sharp instruments of the type necessary to ob- Vtain access to the container by cutting through the same.

The absence of glue, paste or similar securing means permits the box, if formed of suitable waterproofed material, to be subjected to wetting, such as rain and the like, without destruction of the container, or without the opening of any ofthe seams. Y

In the embodiment ofthe invention shown in Figs. '7 and 9, the provision of supporting legs extending from the side Walls,-Whi'ch legs support the bottom Wall an appreciable distance above, the shelf or other means upon Whichthe container may be disposedpermits circulation of air under and around the container, and prevents the bottom Wall from being moistened in the event that-the container is disposed upon a wetted surface.' Thus this container is espef cially adapted for containing food stuffs which are spoiled by absorbing moisture, or by the failure to maintain suitab-le circulation ofair thereabout..

It will be obvious that the container may be modified in various ways Without departing from the spirit of the invention. The blanks may be formed from various kinds of paperboard or equivalent material, depending upon theuse for which the container is intended. The invention is net limited to containers of any particular size, but is applicable to various-sizes ofcontainers and to shapes other than cubical. When a container of the type disclosed in Figs. 7-9 is used for foods,gpreferably corrugated paperboard of the type shown is used, and the container is of convenient size for storage in cupboards and the like.

Also, it should be apparent that a container constructed according to the invention is not limited tothe uses specifically set forth, but may be employed for a very large variety of uses, which will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. v

Whatis claimed is:

A foldable container, including relatively rigid paperboard panels secured together and defining* bottom, front, rear and end Walls, a top cover integrally and'iiexibly connected to the edge of said rear Wall and having flaps extending from the free .edges thereof and positioned to overlie the top edges of the corresponding front and end Walls when the top cover is closed, a member extending along said front Wall for reinforcing Vand'stiffening at least the top and bottom edges thereof, metallic fastening means extending through said front Wall and said reinforcing member for securing said reinforcing member in position, means extending substantially throughout the height of said end walls for reinforcing and stiffening said end Walls adjacent said rear Wall, flaps extending from the end.

edges of said bottom Wall and means securing said top cover flaps and bottom flaps in closed position whereby said container is reinforced and stiifened along all end edges and along both top and bottom edges ofA said front wall.

OLIVER B. ANDREWS. 

